Related: Japan stance on Taiwan, history sours ties: FM

   BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhuanet) --Japanese leaders' wrongdoing on the Taiwan issue and wrong historical attitudes is the reason behind Japanese public sentiment toward China being at a record low, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Tuesday.

    According to a Japanese Cabinet Office poll released Saturday, the Japanese people's feeling about China has worsened, with a record-low 32.4 percent feeling good about the country, down 5.2 percentage points from a year ago.

    "The major reason for the negative poll result is Japanese top leaders' repeated wrongdoings on the Taiwan issue and its wrong attitudes toward history," Qin Gang told a regular press conference.

    It is widely believed that Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro's repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including a dozen major World War II criminals, is the main reason for the deterioration of China-Japan ties.

    The friendship between the two peoples constitutes a major part of China-Japan relations, and Japan is expected to employ effective methods to mend the current bilateral situation, Qin Gang said.

    "We hope to see more active efforts from the Japanese side to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples." Qin said. 

    China-Japan consultation on UN reform

    The consultation between China and Japan concerning the reform of the United Nations is not a "regular" one, said Qin Gang.

    "The two sides made the first contact, and it's not a regular consultation," Qin said, adding that no more contacts have been arranged.

    Qin made the remarks at a regular press conference when commenting on the recent China tour of Masaharu Kono, director general of the Foreign Policy Bureau of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The spokesman said Masaharu Kono paid a working visit to China at the invitation of the Japanese embassy to China. At the request of the Japanese side, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Qiao Zonghuai met with him.

    The two sides exchanged views on the UN reform. China reaffirmed that the current pressing tasks are to implement the outcome documents finalized at the summit marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, to push for progress in areas where common ground has been reached, and to give top priority to the development issue, said the spokesman.

    During the meeting, Qiao said developing nations, especially African countries, should be given increased representation in regard to the UN Security Council reform, and broad consensus should be reached on the basis of democratic discussions and consultations.

    "China opposes forced voting on any resolution where differences still exist, and China's stance on UN reform has not changed," the spokesman said.

   Anti-bird flu cooperation with world community

    China will continue to strengthen its cooperation with the world community to deal with the challenge of bird flu, said Qin Gang.

    China advocates that cooperation be carried out through international mechanisms so as to combat the spread of bird flu, Qin said.

    In the meantime, China holds international cooperation should be conducted in such areas as bird flu epidemiology, virus testingand monitoring and the establishment of a bird flu laboratory network, Qin added.

    Asian countries and the world community should share information and promote technical exchanges so as to explore new methods to control bird flu, the spokesman said.

    When asked to comment on China's newly produced live vaccine against bird flu, Qin said it was encouraging and gratifying news provided the vaccine can really help to prevent the spread of bird flu.

    Resumption of DPRK nuke talks

    Qin Gang said that the specific date of the second phase of the fifth round of six-party talks has not been decided.

    Qin said the Chinese side is currently negotiating with the other five parties over the specific date in the hope of reopening the talks at an early date.

    "To denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and ensure peace and stability on the peninsula is in the interests of all parties to the talks," the spokesman said.

    Qin urged all parties concerned to take the overall situation into account and solve relevant problems through negotiation and consultation so as to increase mutual understanding and trust and create a favorable atmosphere for the progress in the six-party talks.

    The six-party talks, aimed at resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, entered a fifth round in November 2005.

    The six parties - China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan - agreed in a chairman's document on Nov. 11 to hold the second-phase meeting at the earliest possible date.

   Sino-bolivia Relationship

    China values its relations with Bolivia, Qin Gang said here.

    When asked to comment on Bolivian president's intention to visit China next month, Qin said, Bolivia is a friendly country of China.

    China is willing to maintain friendly exchanges and cooperation with Bolivia in various fields on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Qin said.

    China hopes to push forward bilateral relations to develop in ahealthy and stable manner, Qin added. Enditem